I have begun to realise this is a major tell for a range of his emotions, usually negative. He does it either when he’s trying to distract himself from something or gets excited in a very happy mood. It’s how he focuses himself to control his outward reactions. Right now, I am guessing he’s trying to control his temper.

‘Maybe I just needed the right lover to show me the good side to it, and I never said I was the one in straps,’ I cattily respond, insides swelling with that sense of satisfaction at ripping at him the way he does me. Venom in every word that I hope...